Church-goers were surprised to be greeted by two girls on horseback as they arrived at a service of commemoration for the Queen.
Orla McBride, 14, and Ellie Napier, 15, formed a mounted Guard of Honour for the late monarch on their horses Kiki and Ronnie, as the congregation arrived at St Mary and St Michael's Church in Egremont on Saturday.
The Rural Dean of Calder, The Reverend Richard Lee who conducted the service was “absolutely delighted” by the gesture, and even came out to thank to girls personally.
The girls had been due to carry the Boundary Flags at Egremont Crab Fair at the weekend but when the event was cancelled following the death of The Queen, they decided to do something in honour of Her Majesty.
Helen McBride, Orla’s mum, said: “There were a few shocked faces when people came round the corner! It was well received. Orla had the Union Jack an Ellie had the Cumbria flag. It was a nice touch.
“It’s something nice for them to take part in and show a bit of respect for the Queen. It was nice for two young girls to be part of it.
”The Queen loved her horses and dogs. I think taking two horses down was quite fitting.”
Both girls are passionate about horse riding like the Queen was, with Orla competing all summer in working hunter competitions and Ellie a keen rider and driver of ponies, who also enjoys hound trailing.
Robyn Napier, Ellie’s mum said: “She really enjoyed doing it. She said it felt like an honour, with the Queen liking horses, she thought it was a great thing to do for a memorial. It’s a little bit of history.“
READ MORE: Whitehaven royalists make pilgrimage to London to pay respects to the Queen at funeral
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